Metallic cap for glass containers



June 2, 1931. J. J, w|| |AMs 1,808,702

METALLIC CAP FOR GLASS CONTAINERS Filed June 27 1927 n70-bri Patented `une 2, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:

JOHN J. WILLIAMS, 0F WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR T0 HAZEIi-ATIAS GLASS CO., 0F WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION' OF WEST VIRGINIA METALLIO CAP FOR GLASS CONTAINERS Application led June 27,

This invention'relates to closures for food containers, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide a screw cap for jars, tumblers, or other containers, which may be secured in place prior to vacuumizing the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a screw cap which will relieve any excess pressure generated within the container, as for instance, during processing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cap of this character which is not mutilated in its initial removal from the container, and may therefore be reappled from time to time to reseal the container until the contents have been consumed.

. Other objects and advantages ofthe invention will be apparentfrom the following de- Itailed description when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings; in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the cap in sealed position.

Figure 42 is a similar view, but showing the parts in the position they will occupy while the container is being vacuumied, or while the internal pressure is being relieved during processing; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the various parts arranged in spaced relation, to

more clearly show the construction thereof.-

Referring to the drawings more in detail,

numeral 1 indicates a portion of a glass container, which may be a jar, tumbler, or any other glass receptacle for packing food products. The container is provided with the usual threads 2 for securing the cap in place.

I have illustrated the usual continuousthread, but it will be understood that the invention is equally well adapted for use in connection with interrupted threads or any other mechanical means for securing the cap in place The metallic cap is indicated by-numeral 3,

- and is provided with continuous or interrupted threads 3', or other mechanical means for positively securing the cap, in place. This cap is provided with a depressed portion 4, having a small aperture 5, for-a purpose to be described hereinafter.

Arranged in the screw cap is an ordinary 1927. seriall 110.201.709.

flat gasket 6 of rubber or the like, and fitted against this gasket is a metallic disc 7, which is of practically the same diameter as the internal diameter of the screw cap. Preferably, though not necessarily, the disc has a downwardly inclined portion 8 which merges into the central horizontal portion 9. This inclined portion of the ldisc assists in keeping the central portion of the disc from rising while the container is being vacuumiaed'or processed.

Secured to the disc 7 by any desired means, isa pad or valve 10, made of rubber or any suitable material; the pad or valve being arranged in alignment with the aperture 5. The disc is provided with one or more holes D 11, which, of course, may be of any desired size, shape and number. As stated above the pad or valve 10 is secured to the disc in any desired manner, but in the preferred form here illustrated, the member 10 is secured by means of tangs 12 which are cutoutofthe disc and bent-back onto the member 10, thereby securely fastening itin place. It will be understood that in the particular form shown herein, the openings 11 are formed lby cutting out the tangs 12.

Arranged beneath the disc 7 is another vgasket 13 of rubber or the like, which is adapted to fit down on the top rim ofthe container. In'operation, the parts are assembled as above described,- and as illustrated in the drawings, and the container having been packed, the cap is screwed down into place an automatic capping machine, or by hand.

parts of the cap are in' the position illustrated in' Figure 1.

It is the usual practice to vacuumize Vthe containers before they are sealed, but inac- 95." The container is completely sealed, and the cordance with the present invention the container is. first sealed, and then vacuumized.

yThe container having been sealed as above described, it is only necessary to place it in the Avacuum chamber of any vacuumizer, and when the vacuum is produced in the chamber in the well known manner, the top of the cap will be caused thereby to bulge upwardly slightly, thereby unsealing the hole 5, and permitting the. container to be vacuumized through said hole 5 and the holes 11. The partsare now in the position illustrated in Figure 2.

After the container has been vacuumized, so that the pressure is the same on both sides of the cap, the top of the cap will move downward, so that the depressed portion 4 will again seat on the pad 10, and when the Vacuum closet is opened to the atmosphere, the atmospheric pressure will force the depressed portion against the pad with sufficient force to effectively` seal the hole 5. The container has been vacuumized, and the parts have returned to the position shown in Figure 1, so

that the contalner is sealed and ready to be shipped. It will be noted, that as'the cap is securely fastened in place by screw threads, or other mechanical means,there is no danger of the cap becoming partly or wholly displaced during the vacuumizing operation.

I have described above the manner in which -the cap operates to permit the sealing of the container prior to its being vacuumized. But it will be understood that the cap functions in exactly the same manner to relieve any excess pressure generated' in the container,

as for instance in sterilizing. In thisfprocess the sealed container is `placed ina retort where itis sterilized at a tem erature varying from 212 to 240 F. f course, this generates pressure within the container, and the cap disclosed herein will relieve this pressure by reason of the cap bulging upward, in

- the'manner above described, to open the port 5; and as soon as the pressure has been relieved, the depressed portion ofthe ca'p will reseat itself on the pad, where-r automatically by a partial vacuum is obtained.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that Il have devisedy a cap which may be sealed prior to being vacuumized or processed, and which is associated withthe lcontainer in such manner as to prevent the accidental displacement thereof during vacuum1a1ng or processing, but which will also permlt of its removal without mutilation whereby it retains the reseal value of the conventional screw cap.

Having fully y described the invention, whatl I claim 'as new-and desire'to secure by Lettersl Patent ist l tively securing ,the ca v1.*A closure for glass containers, including a cap, screw threads on the cap for posito the container, sealing means between t e cap and the upper edge of the container, said cap having an openlng therein, a disc adapted to be gripped between the cap and the container and provided wit-h anopening therein, and meansl tainer, said cap having a depressed portion provided with an openlng, a disc adapted to be gripped between the cap and the container and having an opening, and a pad carried by said disc and adapted to normally close the opening in said cap.

3. A losure for glass containers, including a screw-threadedcap having an opening therein, a gasket fitted in said cap, a disc fitted in said cap against said gasket, said disc having an opening therein, a valve carried by said disc and adapted to normally close the opening in the gasket fitted in said cap against said disc;-

4, A closure for glass containers, including a screw-threaded cap having an opening therein, a ldisc adapted to be gripped between the capand the container, `said disc having an opening therein, a pad mounted on said disc in alignment with the opening in the cap, andtangs retaining said pad in place.

5. A closure for glass containers, including a rew-threaded cap having an opening therein, a disc adapted to be gripped between the cap and the container, a pad mounted'on the disc in alignment with said opening, and tangs cut out ofsaid disc to form openings, said tangs being bent back to'secure said pad.

6. A closure for glass containers, including a screw-threaded cap, said cap provided with a depressed portion having an opening therein, a gasket tted in said cap, a disc fitted in said cap against mounted on the disc in alignment with said opening, tangs cut out of said disc to form openings, said tangs being bent back to secure said pad, and a second gasket fitted in said cap against said disc.

7, A closure for glass containers, including a screw-threaded cap, disc within said cap, sealing means betweegi the cap and the upper edge of the container, the cap and the disc cap, and i 'a' second said gasket, a pad each having an opening, and means carried the pressure outside of the con-. 

